Judge right to block Obama drilling moratorium

We agree with Federal Judge Martin Feldman who struck down the offshore oil drilling moratorium.

The Obama administration recently placed the six month moratorium on all deep water oil wells. President Obama said he thought the moratorium was needed to make sure all wells currently being drilled were safe.

But in his ruling, Judge Feldman summed it up correctly saying the Interior Department failed to provide adequate reasoning for the moratorium. The moratorium seems to assume that because one rig failed, all companies doing deepwater drilling pose an imminent danger.

The moratorium had the potential to be a monetary disaster for thousands of Louisiana and Mississippi residents who work on drilling crews in the Gulf of Mexico.

Thirty percent of the oil Americans consume comes from the Gulf. We have heard several reports that some of the oil companies that have had rigs idle for weeks were considering moving their drilling overseas. That would have meant the loss of jobs that are so needed in our state and Louisiana.

We agree with President Obama that the oil industry must drill safely and an inspection process needs to be in place to make sure that happens.

Ensuring that our environment will remain free of oil, while permitting drilling is a delicate balancing act. With strict guidelines and proper over sight we believe both can be accomplished.

That's our opinion, we would like to hear yours. Email your thoughts to editorials@wlox.com, or post your comments below.

It sounds just like the plot line of a television show- a woman naked and afraid, lost in remote woods. But Lisa Theris’ journey back to civilization was real life and a real struggle that lasted a month in Bullock County.

It sounds just like the plot line of a television show- a woman naked and afraid, lost in remote woods. But Lisa Theris’ journey back to civilization was real life and a real struggle that lasted a month in Bullock County.